The IPC-IG concluded its feasibility assessment to the Government of Burundi on the project to establish an integrated social registry in the country

By IPC-IG
Kids in the streets of Burundi

 

As a final step prior to the release of the feasibility assessment on the implementation of an integrated social registry (Registre Social Unique) in Burundi, the IPC-IG conducted two workshops in March, with the participation of Burundian government representatives and key stakeholders.  

The implementation of an integrated registry is one of the strategic actions of Burundi’s National Social Protection Strategy and aims to cover the poor and vulnerable population of the country, enhancing targeting and coordination efficiency among social protection programmes. Such a registry would allow the country to create a database of potential beneficiaries of social protection programmes; to better identify the needs of vulnerable citizens; and to conceive targeted and tailored policies, therefore contributing to the reduction of inequality and poverty. It would also reinforce the links between different government programmes, reducing redundancies, fragmentations and gaps, and better allocating resources. 

During the "Validation Workshop", carried out on 18 March, the IPC-IG presented the main conclusions and recommendations on the project, and Burundian participants had the opportunity to contribute with comments and suggestions to be included in the final version of the assessment. The Centre presented a roadmap for the establishment of the integrated registry in Burundi, highlighting the options, limitations, and pros and cons to the country’s political decision-makers and main actors in the social protection field. 

The presentation focused on clarifying which registry models were deemed appropriate and feasible in the Burundian context. It also stressed the importance of devising a legal framework for the registry, particularly with the enactment of data protection laws. Financing options to ensure the sustainability of the Registry in the long run were also discussed, as well as estimated implementation schedules, with costs associated with each model. 

Between December 2020 and March 2021, nine capacity-building sessions were conducted by the IPC-IG with an array of stakeholders, such as members of the country’s integrated social registry working group; staff from the Burundi Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (ISTEEBU); the Permanent Executive Secretary of the National Social Protection Commission and a representative of the World Bank in Burundi.   

The final version of the feasibility assessment was handed to Burundi’s government on 31 March. The project is a joint effort between the IPC-IG, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).  

 

Photo: Andre Thiel/Flickr